Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation
Western Australia
Under the shadow of the Roundhouse and adjacent to the swelling wardan (ocean) sat the 2023 Fremantle Biennale pavilion, “Er” – a design collaboration between architects vittinoAshe, Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owner Brendan Moore, jeweller Melissa Cameron, Syrinx Environmental, sustainability and green infrastructure company, environmental scientist Dr. Linda Davies and ICS Australia. The bilingual text embodied the conceptual facets and formation of the Er pavilion:
the void’s salt stories
carved into constellation
Djallam bardip
kodjat walyalup boodjarak
a series of notes drawn
ephemeral structures traced
Koora wirnt
kwornt ngaran-iny
disparate fragments announced
a lightness of presence layered
Kendjil karda
biargar nidja
Mother/Sun
Ngarngk
concentrate elements to belong
koorliny gep ngan-iny gep
a collective composition repairs
Nidja kwoornt daan did-iny
before and after its being
koora wer korliny
together spaces
where one hesitates
Ngalla nidja
windji noonook kaatidj
in a place and time drink
Yeyi Nidjak ngan-iny gep
a natural utterance
Er.
Dtabakarn
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
